As a real estate professional, your Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the most powerful tools you have for attracting local buyers and sellers. But optimizing your GMB profile is only half the battle. To truly dominate local search results, you need to follow up by creating comprehensive citations across the web.
7G Club Meetup: Citation Meetup
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In this post, I’ll break down:
- What citations are and why they matter
- How they impact your real estate business’s local SEO
- The best tools for managing citations effectively
- A step-by-step guide to creating and maintaining citations
What Are Citations?
Citations are mentions of your business’s Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) on various websites, directories, and platforms across the internet. These mentions help search engines like Google verify that your business is legitimate, well-established, and authoritative in your local market.
Citations typically appear on:
- Online directories (Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Yelp, etc.)
- Local business listings (Chamber of Commerce websites, BBB, Nextdoor)
- Social media profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)
- Real estate platforms (MLS websites, brokerage sites)
- Map services (Apple Maps, Bing Places, Waze)
The goal is consistency—every citation should have identical NAP information to reinforce trust with Google and improve your search rankings.
Why Are Citations Critical for Real Estate Agents?
1. They Strengthen Your Local SEO
Google’s local search algorithm relies on citations to validate your business. The more accurate, consistent, and widespread your citations are, the more credibility Google gives you—resulting in higher rankings in Google Maps and local search results.
2. They Help You Outrank Competitors
If you’re competing in a high-demand real estate market, you need every SEO advantage possible. Agents with more high-quality citations tend to rank higher, giving them an edge when potential clients search for terms like:
• “Top real estate agent in [your city]”
• “Best realtor near me”
• “Homes for sale in [your target area]”
3. They Build Trust with Clients
Homebuyers and sellers check multiple sources before contacting an agent. When they find consistent and accurate business information across platforms, they feel more confident in reaching out to you.
4. They Increase Lead Generation
Citations aren’t just for SEO. Many directory sites—like Yelp and Realtor.com—rank high on Google. If you’re listed on them, you’ll gain more direct traffic and leads from homeowners actively searching for an agent.
How to Manage Your Citations: The Right Way
Manually creating and managing citations across dozens (or even hundreds) of sites can be overwhelming. Here’s how to do it efficiently:
1. Start With Google My Business (GMB)
Make sure your GMB profile is 100% complete and optimized before working on citations. This includes:
- Correct business name, address, and phone number
- A detailed business description with real estate keywords
- High-quality photos of listings, office, and team
- Google Reviews from past clients
- Accurate service areas
Once your GMB is set, use that same NAP format for all citations—this is crucial for consistency.
2. Identify Key Citation Sources for Real Estate
Focus on high-authority real estate directories and local business listings, including:
Real Estate-Specific Citations
- Zillow
- Realtor.com
- Homes.com
- Redfin
- Trulia
- Apartments.com
- HomeLight
General Business Directories
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Angi (formerly Angie’s List)
- Yellow Pages
- Nextdoor
- Foursquare
Map & Search Directories
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
- Waze
- Yahoo Local
Find local and niche directories specific to your market (e.g., Chamber of Commerce websites, city business directories).
3. Use Citation Management Tools for Efficiency
Rather than manually entering your business info on every site, use automated citation tools to save time and ensure accuracy.
🔧 Best Citation Management Tools
- BrightLocal – Best for local SEO tracking & managing citations
- Yext – Syncs your listings in real-time across 70+ directories
- Moz Local – Helps distribute your NAP details to major directories
- Whitespark – Great for finding industry-specific citation opportunities
These tools ensure your information stays updated, consistent, and error-free across all platforms.
4. Audit & Fix Existing Citations
If your citations are inconsistent, outdated, or incorrect, Google won’t trust your business as much.
🔍 Use a free citation checker (like Moz Local or BrightLocal) to find incorrect NAP listings.
đź› Fix errors manually or update them through a citation management tool.
5. Build New Citations Regularly
- Submit your business to new, relevant directories every few months.
- Encourage past clients to mention your business on local community websites.
- Contribute guest articles or blogs to local real estate sites and include a citation.
Key Takeaways: Get Found, Get Leads, Get Sales
- Citations are essential for improving your local SEO and helping your real estate business appear in top search results.
- Consistency is critical—your NAP details must match exactly across all platforms.
- Use citation management tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, or Yext to save time and automate updates.
- Regularly audit, fix, and build new citations to maintain a strong online presence.
By optimizing your Google My Business profile and following up with strong citation management, you’ll establish credibility, trust, and authority—helping you attract more clients and close more deals.
🚀 Want help managing your online presence? Reach out for expert Real Estate Agent Roadmap® coaching on real estate marketing, SEO strategies, and Google Business optimization. Let’s get you ranking higher and closing more deals!
Mindset:
"If you are working on something that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you"
Steve Jobs
Mastery This Week:
Identifying Influencers In Your Market
In real estate, success is often determined not just by what you know, but by who you know. Building a robust network of connections is essential for generating leads, closing deals, and growing your business. Specific individuals hold more influence within that network and can significantly impact your success—these are the key influencers in your market. Identifying and connecting with these influencers is a critical skill that can help you expand your reach, enhance your credibility, and create valuable opportunities.
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